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Asset management improves town's water leak repair process
The city of Socorro, located in Socorro County in central New Mexico, was recently awarded $1,230,000 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds through USDA to provide upgrades to install an arsenic treatment plant for two of its water sources. The city has an estimated population just under 9,000. The Socorro Water and Wastewater Utilities serve almost 4,000 connections.
In addition to the upgrades, the city wished to improve its asset management by developing an asset management plan with particular focus on an asset inventory and GIS map of its system. Asset management plans are essential for water and wastewater utilities to properly maintain their systems, budget appropriately and provide the level of service that their customers deserve. The foundation for an asset management plan is the asset inventory.
Previously, a Socorro utility manager had begun the process of asset mapping, but because the utility did not have the proper equipment, the results were inaccurate. Faced with budget constraints, the city looked to RCAC for assistance. RCAC assessed the situation and developed a plan for the first phase of the asset management plan. RCAC technical assistance providers built the baseline GIS layers required to begin the mapping work, configured a GPS system and trained utility staff on site to collect the information needed on each identified utility asset.
RCAC provided the utility with a free database to manage the asset inventory, and developed an interface to load the GPS data into the inventory database. Using the asset data collected by the utility, RCAC developed and made prints of the GIS maps. RCAC also helped utility staff members become involved with the New Mexico Environmental Finance Center’s educational programs promoting asset planning. Aware of the current budget situation, RCAC provided low-cost, short-term recommendations for hardware, software and staff training, as well as suggestions for longer-term investments as the plan matures.
Accurate maps will enable staff to locate assets in need of repair in a more timely manner. The inventory can be used to improve maintenance cycles and provide a basis for capital infrastructure planning.
Ruben Amaro, Socorro Water and Wastewater Utilities foreman indicated that utility staff members spend a lot of time figuring out how to shut off the water when there are leaks that need repair. He said the new maps will be very helpful, especially for new staff, because they willl no longer have to spend time searching for the right valve to turn off when there are leaks. In addition, the inventory will help them keep better track of their assets and where they are located.
When the inventory and asset mapping are complete, Socorro Water and Wastewater Utilities will have a foundation in place for completing and maintaining a full asset management plan, which will enable the city of Socorro to improve its level of service and utility management.